Changes To Teen Driver Permits
(Effective July 1, 2021)
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The changes to teen driver permits and rules brought about by 2020 Senate Bill 113 are currently suspended by Governor Noem until June 30, 2021. Please review this information carefully and note it will apply to both existing and new learner’s and restricted permit applicants starting July 1, 2021. There is no “grandfathering,” so this applies to all unless they have already upgraded to an unrestricted adult driver’s license.
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Instruction Permits:
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Must be eligible to upgrade (driven 90 days with driver’s ed or 180 days without driver’s ed on the permit), and have upgraded to a Restricted Permit before 7/1/2021.
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Those not eligible to upgrade to a Restricted Permit before 7/1/2021 will fall under the new instruction permit laws:
1. Must drive on the Instruction Permit for 180 days (with driver's ed)
2. Must drive on the Instruction Permit for 275 days (without driver's ed)
3. Must have a minimum of 50 hours of parent/guardian supervised driving (10 hours at night
and 10 hours in inclement weather) to upgrade to a Restricted Permit. When the driver and
parent/guardian return to an exam station to upgrade to a Restricted Permit, the parent will
need to sign the “Supervised Driving Statement” affirming the permit holder has completed
the required supervised driving.
Restricted Permits:
Restricted Permits not upgraded to Operator licenses before 7/1/2021 will fall under the new regulations:
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Anyone under 18 must hold a restricted permit for 6 months (and meet all the other requirements) before upgrading to a full operator license.
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Anyone driving on a Restricted Permit cannot have any passengers outside their immediate family or household for 6 months from the initial permit issuance date.
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Anyone who has driven on a Restricted Permit for 6 months or more may only have one passenger outside their immediate family or household.
Operator License:
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Must be 16 years of age and have driven on a Restricted Permit for a minimum of 6 months.